GOP proposes review of abortion practices in light of Gosnell trial

"America is better than allowing Gosnell-like clinic conditions and Gosnell-like abortions from being swept under the rug like nothing ever happened and that women and children never died," Blackburn said Thursday in a press release. "Oversight and enforcement are desperately needed so we can help stop these Gosnell abortion horror stories from continuing."

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The resolution, H.Res. 206, was introduced as House lawmakers sent letters to state health agencies around the country seeking records of their dealings with abortion clinics. That inquiry, led by Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is aimed at determining whether state agencies are adequately monitoring abortion clinics.

The resolution says it is the sense of the House that Congress and the states should gather information about "abusive, unsanitary, and illegal abortion practices," and the interstate referral of women and girls to facilities that perform dangerous or illegal abortions.

It calls for hearings on abortions performed after a fetus would be able to live on its own and an evaluation of "the extent to which such abortions involve violations of the natural right to life of infants."

And, it calls for a government review of public policies that lead to illegal abortion practices, which it says is an "urgent priority that must be addressed for the sake of women, children, families, and future generations."